Former state Sen. Joan Menard retiring from post at BCC

Monday

Jun 2, 2014 at 5:48 PM

Michael Gagne Herald News Staff Reporter @HNMikeGagne

FALL RIVER — Longtime state Sen. Joan Menard is retiring from her most recent post of acting vice president for Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning at Bristol Community College, the college announced on Monday.

Menard’s final day on the job was Friday. But she said, when reached Monday afternoon, that she has agreed to provide consulting services on a limited basis as needed.

“It’s time to move on, spend some free time with family,” said Menard, 78,

BCC’s Workforce Education Institute, previously known as the Center for Workforce Development, occupies the second floor of the Commonwealth Landing Building at 1082 Davol St.

Menard said she’s proud of her accomplishments in the three and a half years she led the center.

“We have just expanded,” Menard said. “That whole second floor — we’re just expanding and expanding and expanding. Working with them was a pleasure.”

But at this point in her life, Menard said, “I want a little bit more freedom.”

“We are eternally grateful for the nearly four years of service Sen. Menard has had here at BCC,” said BCC President John Sbrega in a statement.

Sbrega called Menard “an incredible asset” and said that, under her “guidance and tremendous leadership, the Center for Workforce Development at the college has grown leaps and bounds.”

He added that she was instrumental in creating “a one-stop workforce development operation for the community.”

Menard, a Fall River native who previously taught in the Somerset school system, was first elected to the Massachusetts House in 1978. She also served in the state Senate for 10 years before announcing she would retire in 2010.

An announcement that Menard would join the administration at BCC came in early 2011.

In her four years at BCC, Menard earned an annual salary of $120,000. She currently serves on the school committee for Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School as one of Fall River’s three representatives.

BCC spokesman Patrick Stone said via email that BCC would make an announcement regarding the search process for Menard’s replacement.